The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a helicopter crash that happened Sunday, Jan. 23, east of Camrose, Alta.
The TSB said a Bell 206B helicopter hit the ground approximately 23 nautical miles southeast of Camrose at around 9:45 a.m.
Killam-Forestburg RCMP said the helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Range Road 161 and Township Road 462 in Flagstaff County at around 10 a.m.
A spokesperson for STARS Air Ambulance said two crews and two helicopters were asked to respond. STARS 3 from Edmonton was first to arrive on scene near Daysland.
The team removed four patients and took them to ambulances.
Two patients with traumatic injuries were flown by STARS to hospital in Edmonton. Both arrived in stable condition, according to STARS.
The patients were a 46-year-old man who was taken to the University of Alberta Hospital and a 43-year-old woman who was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said three of its members were involved in the crash. The workers were employed by Alberta Environment and Parks, and were conducting aerial surveys to count deer and moose, the AUPE said Tuesday.
“Our hearts are broken for these workers,” said Bonnie Gostola, AUPE vice president and chair of the union’s Occupational Health & Safety committee. “No worker should have to worry about whether they’re going to make it home at the end of a shift.
“Our thoughts are with the injured workers, with their families, and their co-workers.”
RCMP, EMS and the Daysland and Killam Fire Departments held the scene until the TSB arrived.
The TSB investigation will try to determine the cause of the crash.
The crash site was about 145 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
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